Fuel dispensing system remote control console removable control assembly

ABSTRACT

A console structure for a remotely controlled dispensing system, such as a system for dispensing fuel, in which a housing is provided which receives a control assembly for each dispensing unit. Each control assembly includes all of the control elements for the respective dispensing system, the counter which indicates the amount dispensed by the respective unit, and control switches and indicating lamps. The control relay for the dispensing unit motor is mounted in the housing. Each control assembly is receivable in the housing through an opening provided therefor and is held in place by a single clamp bolt extending through the control assembly and engageable with a nut provided therefor in the housing. The control relays for the dispensing unit motors are protected by a shield member so that wiring within the housing does not interfere with the operation of the relays. Separable electrical means in the form of plugs and sockets are provided on each control assembly and in the housing so that the necessary electrical connections are automatically made when a control assembly is inserted in the housing.

May et al.

AVAILABLE COPY 111 3,895,268 14 1 July 15, 1975 FUEL DISPENSING SYSTEM REMOTE CONTROL CONSOLE REMOVABLE CONTROL ASSEMBLY Inventors: Larry A. May, .lonesboro; Edwin T.

Hayes, Greeneville, both of Tenn.

Assignee: Keene Corporation, New York,

Filed: Dec. 14, 1973 Appl. No.: 424,851

US. Cl. 317/120; 317/101 CB; 174/59;

248/27 Int. Cl H05k 5/02; H02b 1/10 Field of Search 174/52 R, 59; 317/99, 101 CB,

3l7/101OH,113,118,120,122, 117; 248/27; 312/67, 108, 198, 263

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,530,945 1l/1950 Chapman 317/113 2.994,807 8/1961 Devine 317/101 CB 3,014,160 12/1961 Brogden 317/101 CB 3,191,097 6/1965 Dano 174/52 R 3,601,661 8/1971 Kleinhample 317/120 3.758.828 9/1973 Stefani 317/113 3,763,400 10/1973 Layton 317/101 CB Pl'lflltll) ExaminerGerald P. Tolin Attorney, Agent, or Firnz-Albert L. Jeffers; Roger M. Rickert [57] ABSTRACT A console structure for a remotely controlled dispensing system, such as a system for dispensing fuel, in which a housing is provided which receives a control assembly for each dispensing unit. Each control assembly includes all of the control elements for the respective dispensing system, the counter which indicates the amount dispensed by the respective unit, and control switches and indicating lamps. The control relay for the dispensing unit motor is mounted in the housing. Each control assembly is receivable in the housing through an opening provided therefor and is held in place by a single clamp bolt extending through the control assembly and engageable with a nut provided therefor in the housing. The control relays for the dispensing unit motors are protected by a shield member so that wiring within the housing does not interfere with the operation of the relays. Separable electrical means in the form of plugs and sockets are provided on each control assembly and in the housing so that the necessary electrical connections are automatically made when a control assembly is inserted in the housing.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures IE I 34 Ed O FIE.1

FIE. E

FIEE

FIE Ei I04 cez FUEL DISPENSING SYSTEM REMOTE CONTROL CONSOLE REMOVABLE CONTROL ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a console structure for a dispensing system under remote control and to the manner in which electrical connections are made thereto and, also, the manner in which electrical connections are made between the control console and the dispensing unit, or units, controlled thereby.

In the dispensing of materials, particularly, liquid fuels such as gasoline, it is becoming popular to provide for self-service by the purchaser thereby eliminating the expense of attendants and the like. Such selfservice installations, as mentioned, are becoming more popular and are going into more wide-spread use and require a relatively sophisticated remote control system in order to be able properly to control the dispensing of fuel and to provide for accurate and reliable feedback to the console of the information on the quantity dispensed at a dispensing unit.

It is important that the controls for an installation of the nature referred to be accurate but, furthermore, they must be quite reliable and be capable of being quickly repaired so that the installation can be maintained in operation substantially continuously.

With the foregoing in mind, a primary object of the present invention is the provision of a console structure for a dispensing system of the nature referred to in which a control assembly is provided for each dispensing unit to be controlled and containing the principal components of a control system.

A further object is the provision ofa housing arrangement for removeably receiving the control assemblies.

A further object is the provision of an arrangement as referred to above in which electrical connections are automatically made between each removeable control assembly and other parts of the electric circuitry by inserting the control assembly into the housing.

A still further object is the provision of a console structure for the remote control of one or more dispensing units in which the control relays for the motors in the units are contained within the console housing but are so protected from the wiring in the housing that the wires do not interfere in any way with the operation of the relays.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a dispensing system is provided in which a dispensing region is provided with one or more dispensing units with each unit having a dispensing hose and being supplied with fuel under pressure from a motor driven pump. A single pump can supply several dispensing units or each unit may have its own pump.

Further, there is preferably a solenoid operated valve in each dispensing unit which must be opened during dispensing of fuel and which, upon closing, will interrupt the dispensing of fuel.

According to the present invention, each dispensing unit is electrically connected to a respective discrete control assembly carried in a frame and which frame is adapted for being mounted in a housing by insertion into the housing through an aperture. Each control assembly has a panel on the outwardly facing side and carries signal lamps and control switches and at least one counter.

Electrical connections of each control assembly with the remainder of the circuitry pertaining thereto is accomplished by plug and socket means carried on the control assembly and on the housing of the console so that when a control assembly is put in place in the housing, the plug and socket arrangement effect the necessary electrical connections,

The control assembly is located in the housing by the aperture provided therefor and also by a nut upstanding from a support provided in the housing in about the region of the back of the frame of the control assembly. An elongated screw which extends through the front panel of the control assembly is engageable with the nut so that the control assembly can be held firmly in place in the housing. 1

The housing is adapted for receiving a plurality of the control assemblies, say, three thereof, and also has mounted therein relays for controlling power operated components of the dispensing units pertaining thereto. The wiring for the system includes power line means leading into the housing of the console, while inside the housing, the aforementioned relays are protected by shielding means that prevent any of the wires in the housing from interfering with the operation of the relays.

The housing is advantageously provided with a removeable access cover which will expose terminal strips to which the wires making up the electric circuit are connected.

The objects referred to above, as well as other objects and advantages of the present invention, will become more apparent upon reference to the following detailed specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a remotely controlled fuel dispensing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view partly broken away showing the console of the system.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a bottom plate for the console of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view indicated by line [VIV on FIG, 2.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section indicated by line VV on FIG. 4 showing the lock screw which clamps the control assembly in the housing,

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view showing the terminal block panel provided in the housing.

FIG. 7 is a greatly simplified representation of the electric circuit pertaining to one control assembly and the pertaining dispensing unit. DETAILED DESCRIP- TION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, in FIG. 1, a dispensing unit is indicated at 10. Dispensing unit 10 may, for example, be a substantially conventional gasoline dispensing unit provided with a dispensing hose l2 and a dispensing nozzle 16. The unit, furthermore, comprises a quantity indicator l8 and a cost indicator 20 in a conventional manner.

Gasoline to be dispensed is supplied to hose 12 from a motor operated pump and a solenoid operated control valve can be interposed between the pump and hose 12. Also, the meter which drives the counters l8 and 20 in a conventional manner is also interposed between the pump and the hose 12.

In spaced relation to unit 10, there is a console 22. The console 22 is connected to control dispensing unit 10. The wiring connecting control 22 withdispensing unit is carried through a conduit 24. As will be seen hereinafter, console 22 may consist of a housing having up to three control assemblies therein and each control assembly may control a respective dispensing unit. For the sake of simplicity, only a single dispensing unit is illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4show console 22 somewhat more in detail. In these figures, it will be noted that the console 22 comprises a housing 26 which may be formed of sheet metal. The housing 26 has a special bottom plate 28,'shown more in detail in FIG. 3, and which comprises a plurality of distributed apertures 30 through which wiring can be led and to which conduits, including rigid conduits, can be connected.

The housing also comprises an access cover 32 extending over the rearward portion of the top wall of the housing and partway down the back thereof and held in place by screws 34. As will be seen in FIG. 4, access cover 32 may also have a plate 36 moveably mounted thereon for inspection of the adjacent region of the inside of the housing.

The housing includes an inclined top wall portion 38 leading forwardly and downwardly from near the forward edge of cover 32 to the front of the housing. Portion 38 of the top wall of the housing is provided with apertures for receiving control assemblies pertaining to the dispensing units of the system. In FIG. 2, one such control assembly is generally indicated at 40.

Immediately adjacent assembly 40 to the left thereof is another aperture in the housing for receiving a further control assembly but in the particular case illustrated this aperture is covered with a blank member 42. In general, each housing is arranged to receive as many as three control assemblies in side by side relation.

Immediately above each control assembly, there may be provided a plate 44 indicating the type of fuel which is being dispensed by the respective dispensing unit. The fuel, for example, might be regular fuel or a'fuel with a high octane rating and, in some cases, even the brand name of the fuel may be indicated by the plate 44.

Each control assembly has signal lamps 46, 48 and 50 mounted thereon which will be explained more in de tail hereinafter. In any case, signal lamp 50 is illuminated when power is available for the system. Signal lamp 46 becomes illuminated when the unit is prepared for dispensing and power is being supplied for operation of the respective dispensing unit, and signal lamp 48 becomes illuminated when the respective dispensing unit is in operation and is dispensing fuel.

Each control assembly also carries a counter, the dials of which are indicated at 52, and which indicate the value of the fuel dispensed during a dispensing operation.

Optionally, each control assembly may also have a counter which indicates the quantity of fuel dispensed.

Each control assembly system comprises an on-off switch 54 to control the power to the respective dispensing unit and control assembly and a control switch 56 which is functional in respect of controlling therespective dispensing unit.

Each housing also has mounted thereon a key operated switch 58 which controls the power to all of the control assemblies contained within the housing.

Turning now to FIG. 4, the housing 26 of the console will be seen to comprise a well for receiving each control assembly with the well consisting of a wall 60 at the upper end of the respective control assembly and perpendicular to top wall portion 38. A further wall 62 extends forwardly and downwardly from the lower end of wall 60 parallel to top wall portion 38 and at the front ends in a vertical wall 64. The lower end of wall 64 is connected to bottom wall 28 as by screws 66 whereas the upper end of wall 60 is preferably welded in place in housing 26.

Posts 68 upstanding from wall 60 toward the rear of the housing support a plate 70 on which is mounted terminal blocks for the control assemblies carried in the housing.

Plate 70, as will be seen in FIG. 6, carries a terminal block TS7 for receiving power line connections, and a pair of other terminal blocks for each dispensing unit. For example, terminal blocks T53 and T86 pertain to dispensing unit 10 and, if the console is arranged to control two more dispensing units, terminal blocks T82, T and TSl, TS4 are also provided.

Vertical wall 64, on the rearwardly facing side, carries relays 72 which control the supply of power to the motors for the dispensing units and/or the supply of power to the respective solenoid valves thereof. Wiring leading into the housing of the console, as indicated by dashed lines 74, is prevented from interfering with the relays 72 by a, shield plate 76 extending transversely in thehousing and at the opposite ends supported on clips 78 mounted on the insides of the side walls of the hous- The wall 62 carries a receptacle 80 which is adapted for receiving the connector prongs of the connector plug 82 carried on the back of a control assembly. The interconnections between a control assembly and the remainder of the circuitry pertaining to the respective dispensing system is automatically effected by engagement of plug 82 with receptacle 80 when the control assembly is inserted into a well in housing 26 of the console. Each well region is, of course, provided with a respective receptacle 80.

For securing the control assembly in position in the well, there is a cylindrical nut 84 upstanding from wall 62 in each well and receivable in an aperture 86 in the back wall 88 of the frame of a control assembly inserted in the well. This nut is engageable by elongated screw, or bolt, 90 which extends out the front panel 92 of the control assembly and having a knurled head 94 thereon. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the screw and nut arrangement referred to in detail.

The end of screw 90 adjacent nut 84 extends through a U-shaped strip 96 fixed to the inside of the back wall of the frame of the control assembly and on the side of strip 96 facing away from nut 84 the screw carries a washer 98 which is backed up by a cotter pin 100.

Near the other end of the screw, there is a further washer 102 backed up by a further cotter pin 104. The washers and cotter pins hold the screw captive in the frame of the pertaining control assembly but do not interfere with the threading of the screw into the nut 84 so that the control assembly can be clamped tightly in the housing of the console.

The aforementioned front panel 92 of each control assembly is preferably decorative, as well as functional, and may be formed of plastic. The front panel of each control assembly is secured to the frame of the assembly, as by screws at the front corners of the frame. Each panel protrudes laterally outwardly from all sides of the respective frame, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, and engages the front wall 38 of the console housing about the periphery of the aperture into which the frame of the control assembly is inserted.

FIG. 7 shows extremely schematically the circuit arrangement for dispensing unit and its corresponding control assembly. In FIG. 7, that part of the circuitry. to the left of dashed line A is in the dispensing unit and that portion between dashed line A and dashed line B is in the housing of the console while that portion of the circuit to the right of dashed line B is in the control assembly. The cooperating elements of the plug and socket are indicated at 80 and 82 in FIG. 7.

In FIG. 7, it will be noted that lines L1 and L2 are connected through terminal block T81 and key operated main switch 58 with wires 87 and 89 and from which branches are taken to other control assemblies in the same housing. Line 87 is also connected with one terminal of terminal block TS3.

Line 89 leads through fuse 91 and on-off switch 54 to two terminals on one side of switch 56 and to one side of lamp 50, the other side of which is connected to wire 87. Thus, when key operated switch 58 is closed and on-off switch 54 is closed, lamp 50 will be illuminated showing that the respective system is prepared for operation.

The respective system is made ready for dispensing fuel by momentary upward movement of switch element 97 of switch 54.

Upon upward movement of the normally centered switch element 97 of switch 54, the coil of relay Kl will be energized and its blades Kla and Klb will close. Also, a reset coil R is energized to reset counter 52 to zero.

Capacitor C1 bypasses coil of relay K1 to delay opening of the relay when the coil is deenergized. Blades Klb and Kla establish a holding circuit for relay K1 and also supply energy to one terminal on the righthand side of switch 56 and from which energy flows through the righthand blade of switch 56 and then to a wire 99 which leads to a terminal of terminal block TS3.

Wire 99 also leads through a normally closed blade K of a relay K2 to lamp 46. Thus, lamp 46 becomes illuminated upon energization of relay Kl indicating that the dispensing unit is ready for dispensing fuel.

At the dispensing unit, a switch S3 is provided which is a customer controlled on-off switch. Switch S3 might, for example, be actuated by the hook on which the dispensing hose nozzle is stored. A further switch S1 is provided which, when closed, will supply energy to a computer reset motor 103 which will return all of the indicating dials on the dispensing unit 10 to zero. These indicating dials are the quantity and price indicating dials previously referred to.

When the dials are reset at the dispensing unit in the aforementioned manner, switch S2 is actuated thereby deenergizing reset motor 103 and instead connecting wire 99 to a wire 101. Switch S3 is closed by the person desiring to draw fuel before dispensing is started and is then opened at the end of the dispensing operation. This switch, as mentioned, might be operated by the nozzle hook.

Wire 101 leads to one side ofa pulser switch 105, the other side of which is connected through terminal block T53 to a wire 107. Pulser switch 105 is pulsed closed in conformity with the rotation of the cost dials in dispensing unit 10 and provides for the feeding back of cost information to the control assembly in the console.

' Wire 101 is also connected with one side of the coil of relay K2 so that when switch S2 closes, as described above, relay K2 will be energized and thereby open its blades K241 and K20 while closing its blades K21) and K211. Also, simultaneously with energization of relay K2, lamp 48 is illuminated showing that a dispensing operation is now in progress. Opening of blades K20 extinguishes lamp 46 showing that the control assembly is operating inthe proper manner.

Opening of blades K20 deenergizes relay K1, thereby opening its blades Kla and Klb, and the function thereof with respect to supplying the energy to wire 99 is taken over by now closed blades K219.

The closing of blades K2d connects wire 107 with counter 52 so that as fuel is dispensed the counter 52 at the control assembly will show the correct value 0 the fuel.

The aforementioned wire 101 is also connected with one side of the coil of relay 72, the other side of which is connected to wire 87 so that when switch S3 closes,

relay 72 will be energized and close its blades and. thus, connect the power line consisting of lines Lla and L2a to wires 106 leading to dispensing unit 10.

At the end of the dispensing operation when the individual drawing fuel replaces the hose nozzle on the support hook, switch S3 will open and interrupt the connection between wires 99 and 101. The dispensing unit is now turned off, and relay K2 will be deenergized, and clear the entire circuit. Dispensing can be resumed only by again moving moveable element 97 of switch 56 momentarily into its upper position. Element 97 can be moved downwardly, in an emergency, to connect wire 89 to wire 99 thereby to provide for manual operation of the dispensing unit.

As mentioned, the above circuit is extremely schematic and is shown only in part for the sake of simplicity but will serve to indicate the manner in which the circuits between the control assembly and the dispensing unit are established and cooperate.

In the arrangement of the present invention, the control, field wiring and power handling functions are all contained within the console. The unified nature of the arrangement of the present invention provides for an economical installation because less labor, wires and conduit are required. Further, maintenance is greatly simplified because of the ready removeability of the control assembly.

The system that has been described is a post-pay system in which the fuel is first dispensed and then paid for, but it is possible to employ the same discrete module arrangement in a pre-pay system in which the amount of fuel desired is first paid for and the dispensing unit is then conditioned to dispense only that amount of fuel.

In each case, the control unit can quickly be replaced with a new unit in the event of any malfunction. Also, each dispenser is completely controlled from the console and can only be enabled by the operator at the control console.

What is claimed is:

1. A control console arrangement for a remote controlled dispensing system, especially a fuel dispensing system, in which at least one dispensing unit is provided which is electrically connected to a control console remote therefrom, said console comprising a housing having walls, at least one aperture formed in one wall and a front panel received in said aperture, said frame of said control assembly. being inserted into said aperture with said panel in the plane of said one wall of the housing, a first screw threaded element stationarily mounted in the housing, and a second screw threaded element extending through said panel and having "an inner end engaged with said first element mechanically connecting said control assembly to said housing; and wherein said one wall of said housing is an upper wall and inclines upwardly toward the rear, said housing having wall means therein with a first portion near-the upper end of said aperture and perpendicular to said one wall, a second portion parallel to said one wall and extending from the lower end of said first portion toward the lower end of said aperture and a third portion extending vertically downwardly from the lower end of said second portion to the bottom of said housing, terminal blocks carried by said first portion ofsaidwallmeans on the side facing the rear of said housing, relay means mounted on said third portion of said, wall means on the side facing the rear of the housing, holes in the rear part of the housing near the bottom to receive wires for connection to said terminal blocks, and a barrier strip extending transversely in said housing at about the level of saidthird portion of said wall means and interposed between said relay means and wires leading from said holes to said terminal blocks. 1

2. A control console arrangement according to claim 1 in which said panel is larger than said aperture so as to engage said one wall of the housing about the periphery of said aperture when the frame of the control assembly is mounted into the housing.

3. A control console arrangement according to claim 1 in which said control assembly comprises electrical components for the control of the dispensing unit. and for maintaining the operation thereof,.electric wiring leading into said housing for connection to said components to complete control and maintaining circuits to the dispensing unit, a first element of a separable electrical connector on the back wall of said frame electrically connected to said components, and a second element of the separable electrical connector stationary in said housing and connected to said wiring.

4. A control console arrangement according to claim 3 in which said housing has wall means extending from top to bottom therein, electrical relay means mounted on a lower region of said wall means, terminal blocks carried on an upper region of said wall means, atleast one hole in the back of said housing near the bottom to receive wiring connected to said'ter minal blocks, and a barrier strip in said housing disposed between said relaymeans and wiring leading from said terminal blocks to said hole 5. A control console arrangement according to claim 1 in which said housing includes a detachable cover plate on the back which exposes said terminal blocks when removed from said housing.

6. A control console arrangement according to claim 1 in whichthe back of the 'frame of said control assembly and the said second portion of said wall means comprise cooperating elements of separable electrical connector means, said connector element'in said housing being electrically connected to said terminal blocks and said connector element on said frame being electrically connected to control components in said frame,

trolled dispensing system, especially a fuel dispensing system, in'which at least one dispensing unit is provided which is electrically connected to a control console remote therefrom, said console comprising a housing having walls, at least one aperture formed in one wall of the housing, a control assembly comprising a frame and a front panel received in said aperture, said frame of said control assembly being inserted into said aperture with said panel in the plane of said one wall of the housing, a'nut stationarily, mounted in the housing, a screw extending through said panel and having an inner end engaged with said first element mechanically connecting said control assembly to said housing and havinga head on the outer .end on the outer side of said panel, means holding said screw captive in said control assembly while permitting movement thereof for cooperation with saidnut, said housing having an inner wall portion parallel to said one wall and disposedv near the :.back of the frame of said control assembly, said nut fixedto and upstanding from said wall portion, ahole in said frame receiving said nut, and a u-shaped strap r nember on the insideof said frame at the. back overlying the hole and suppo rting and guiding the adjacent end of saidscrew with the, free ends of the side legs of the strap fixed to said frame and the screw extending through the bottom portion thereof.

8. A control console arrangement according to claim 7 further comprisinga washer captive on said screw on the side of the strap facing away v from said nut. 

1. A control console arrangement for a remote controlled dispensing system, especially a fuel dispensing system, in which at least one dispensing unit is provided which is electrically connected to a control console remote therefrom, said console comprising a housing having walls, at least one aperture formed in one wall of the housing, a control assembly comprising a frame and a front panel received in said aperture, said frame of said control assembly being inserted into said aperture with said panel in the plane of said one wall of the housing, a first screw threaded element stationarily mounted in the housing, and a second screw threaded element extending through said panel and having an inner end engaged with said first element mechanically connecting said control assembly to said housing; and wherein said one wall of said housing is an upper wall and inclines upwardly toward the rear, said housing having wall means therein with a first portion near the upper end of said aperture and perpendicular to said one wall, a second portion parallel to said one wall and extending from the lower end of said first portion toward the lower end of said aperture and a third portion extending vertically downwardly from the lower end of said second portion to the bottom of said housing, terminal blocks carried by said first portion of said wall means on the side facing the rear of said housing, relay means mounted on said third portion of said wall means on the side facing the rear of the housing, holes in the rear part of the housing near the bottom to receive wires for connection to said terminal blocks, and a barrier strip extending transversely in said housing at about the level of said third portion of said wall means and interposed between said relay means and wires leading from said holes to said terminal blocks.
 2. A control console arrangement according to claim 1 in which said panel is larger than said aperture so as to engage said one wall of the housing about the periphery of said aperture when the frame of the control assembly is mounted into the housing.
 3. A contrOl console arrangement according to claim 1 in which said control assembly comprises electrical components for the control of the dispensing unit and for maintaining the operation thereof, electric wiring leading into said housing for connection to said components to complete control and maintaining circuits to the dispensing unit, a first element of a separable electrical connector on the back wall of said frame electrically connected to said components, and a second element of the separable electrical connector stationary in said housing and connected to said wiring.
 4. A control console arrangement according to claim 3 in which said housing has wall means extending from top to bottom therein, electrical relay means mounted on a lower region of said wall means, terminal blocks carried on an upper region of said wall means, at least one hole in the back of said housing near the bottom to receive wiring connected to said terminal blocks, and a barrier strip in said housing disposed between said relay means and wiring leading from said terminal blocks to said hole.
 5. A control console arrangement according to claim 1 in which said housing includes a detachable cover plate on the back which exposes said terminal blocks when removed from said housing.
 6. A control console arrangement according to claim 1 in which the back of the frame of said control assembly and the said second portion of said wall means comprise cooperating elements of separable electrical connector means, said connector element in said housing being electrically connected to said terminal blocks and said connector element on said frame being electrically connected to control components in said frame, said electrical connector forming the sole means effecting electrical connections between the control assembly and the circuits pertaining to the dispensing unit.
 7. A control console arrangement for a remote controlled dispensing system, especially a fuel dispensing system, in which at least one dispensing unit is provided which is electrically connected to a control console remote therefrom, said console comprising a housing having walls, at least one aperture formed in one wall of the housing, a control assembly comprising a frame and a front panel received in said aperture, said frame of said control assembly being inserted into said aperture with said panel in the plane of said one wall of the housing, a nut stationarily mounted in the housing, a screw extending through said panel and having an inner end engaged with said first element mechanically connecting said control assembly to said housing and having a head on the outer end on the outer side of said panel, means holding said screw captive in said control assembly while permitting movement thereof for cooperation with said nut, said housing having an inner wall portion parallel to said one wall and disposed near the back of the frame of said control assembly, said nut fixed to and upstanding from said wall portion, a hole in said frame receiving said nut, and a u-shaped strap member on the inside of said frame at the back overlying the hole and supporting and guiding the adjacent end of said screw with the free ends of the side legs of the strap fixed to said frame and the screw extending through the bottom portion thereof.
 8. A control console arrangement according to claim 7 further comprising a washer captive on said screw on the side of the strap facing away from said nut. 